The Political Influence of Naval Force in History

by J. Cable

Overview

For five centuries, since Vasco de Gama's ships began making the Indian Ocean a Portuguese lake, many governments used naval force to serve their political purposes. The sceptre of the seas passed from one nation to another, but political success did not always reward the strongest navy. This selective, international history of naval force as a political instrument, whether in peace or war, ranges from Calicut, navally cannonaded in 1501, to Baghdad, assailed by sea launched missiles in 1991.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333671702
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	06/24/1998
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	213
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sir James Cable retired from the Diplomatic Service as Ambassador to Finland in 1980 and has since been a freelance writer and lecturer.

Table of Contents

Preface Scope and Definitions The Pre-Naval Era Explorers and Freebooters The Early Naval Wars The High Noon of Naval Force: 1690-1815 Naval Force without Naval War: 1815-1882 Instrumental Change New Naval Powers: Japan and the United States The First World War Between Two Wars The Second World War The Cold War and Its Hot Spots Violent Peace: A Continuing Process Lessons and Speculations Notes and References Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'This book will be much sought after by those who have read and devoured James Cable's masterly work, Gunboat Diplomacy: Political Applications of Limited Naval Force. Not only does it encompass a far broader canvas than his earlier classic work, in both content and time, but its concluding chapter also provides some valuable lessons, and speculations, for the future. It is indeed timely.' - Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Contemporary Security

'There is so much learning, wisdom and common sense packed into the pages of this book that no serious reader will be disappointed. It is highly recommended.' - Richard Hill, The Naval Review

From the Publisher